News

US Army’s Mid-Range Capability makes its first deployment in the Philippines for Salaknib 24
April 15, 2024 — In a historic first, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force successfully deployed the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon, Philippines, on April 11, 2024, as part of Exercise Salaknib 24... MORE

Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 7, 2024.

Joint Readout on the Inaugural U.S.-Philippines 3+3 Meeting
April 12, 2024 — The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Philippines on the occasion of the inaugural U.S.-Philippines 3+3 Meeting... MORE

Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S. Navies Partner in Trilateral Maritime Exercise
April 12, 2024 — The U.S. Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), conducted a trilateral maritime exercise, reaffirming their commitment to bolstering regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, April 11... MORE

Ships assigned to the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy with aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 sail in formation during a trilateral exercise, April 11, 2024. This trilateral exercise allowed maritime forces from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and U.S. to train together to enhance coordination on maritime domain awareness and other shared security interests. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Gooley)

1st Marine Division Deploys to Philippines for Marine Exercise 2024
April 11, 2024 — Marines from the Philippine Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct the second iteration of the Philippine Marine Exercise from April 8-19, 2024, at Camp Iranun, Mindanao, Philippines... MORE

PACAF team unveils innovative resilient energy source to enhance Agile Combat Employment
April 11, 2024 — A dynamic team of Air Force personnel stationed in the Indo-Pacific region unveiled an innovative solution known as Rays to Jet Power at the Logistics Officer Association symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, March 27... MORE

Joint Press Statement for the 24th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue
April 11, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 24th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) on April 11, 2024 in Washington... MORE

USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to the Republic of Korea
April 11, 2024 — SEOUL, Republic of Korea – Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Republic of Korea from April 10-11, 2024, where he engaged with senior government and military... MORE

Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Meeting with Australian Deputy Secretary of Defence for Strategy, Policy, and Industry Hugh Jeffrey
April 10, 2024 — Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout... MORE

Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks' Meeting With Australian Minister of Defence Industry Pat Conroy
April 10, 2024 — Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon provided the following readout... MORE

U.S. Army Pacific and Philippine Army Kick Off Salaknib 2024
April 10, 2024 — In a display of the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Philippine armies, U.S. Army Pacific Soldiers alongside the Philippine Army's 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions gathered to initiate Salaknib 2024 during an opening ceremony at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on April 8, 2024... MORE

USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to Australia
April 9, 2024 — SYDNEY - Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Canberra and Sydney, Australia from April 7-10, 2024, where he met with senior government and military leaders and... MORE

Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, speaks with Michael Fullilove, Executive Director at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on April 9, 2024. The engagement was part of a trip to Australia focused on increasing cooperation and military integration as part of the strong bilateral relationship. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John D. Bellino)

U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy unite for maritime rescue, emphasizing community ties in FSM
April 9, 2024 — Three mariners are safe on April 9, 2024, thanks to the coordination of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and the U.S. Navy, after being stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), for more than a week... MORE

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. Watchstanders at Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress call from a relative of the three mariners on April 6, 2024, reporting her three uncles departed Polowat Atoll, Chuuk State, Easter Sunday for Pikelot Atoll, approximately 100 nautical miles northwest and had not returned, prompting the search. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

USINDOPACOM Strengthens Disaster Response through Multinational Communications Interoperability Exercise
April 9, 2024 — U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s J6 Multinational Communications Interoperability Program (MCIP) team and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces recently hosted a critical planning workshop in Bandar Seri Begawan,... MORE

USINDOPACOM Commander Presents Legion of Merit to Australia Chief of Defence Force
April 8, 2024 — CANBERRA, Australia - Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, presented Gen. Angus Campbell, Australia Chief of Defence Force, with the Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander, at... MORE

Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Gen. Angus Campbell, Australia Chief of the Defence Force, at a ceremony to present Campbell with the Legion of Merit in Canberra, Australia, on April 8, 2024. The Legion of Merit is the highest accolade that the U.S. can bestow upon a foreign leader; it is reserved for individuals who have shown exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)

AUKUS Defense Ministers' Joint Statement
April 8, 2024 — Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. seek to maximize the strategic benefits of the AUKUS partnership to support the security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard establishes Marine Safety Unit Saipan
April 8, 2024 — The U.S. Coast Guard officially established Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Saipan in a ceremony in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, on April 5, 2024... MORE

Lt. Justin Miller, commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Saipan, takes a selfie with assembled guests at a ceremony to formally establish MSU Saipan in Garapan at the American Memorial Park on April 5, 2024. This significant achievement marks a milestone in leadership evolution and responsibility expansion within the U.S. Coast Guard, reflecting steadfast commitment to serving the people of Saipan and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) with unparalleled dedication and excellence. The change is part of an initiative to provide junior officers with increased command opportunities, fostering professional growth and leadership development within the ranks. Eighteen marine safety detachments are converting to marine safety units. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Justin Miller)

Exercise Pacific Warriorz: Hawaii Civil Engineer Airmen Develop Multi-Capable Skills
April 7, 2024 — Airmen from the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron performed Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery training at Bellows Air Force Station on April 7, during exercise Pacific Warriorz 2024... MORE

Hawaii Air National Guard Master Sgt. Dustin J. Frey, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron, disarms munitions in a simulated weapons cache during exercise Pacific Warriorz 2024 at Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, Hawaii, April 7, 2024.

JOINT STATEMENT: Australia – Japan – Philippines – United States Maritime Cooperative Activity
April 7, 2024 — Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, and respect for maritime rights under international law, reflected in the UN... MORE

240407-N-XF387-1032 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 7, 2024) Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA), April 7. Participating units included Royal Australian Navy ANZAC Class frigate HMAS Warramunga, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Akebono, Philippine Navy vessels BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Antonio Luna, Philippine Air Force and Navy aircraft, and a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon along with USS Mobile (LCS 26). The MCA demonstrated a collective commitment to promote and strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Liz Dunagan)

USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to New Zealand
April 7, 2024 — WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited New Zealand April 5-7, 2024, where he met with Air Marshal Kevin Short, New Zealand Defence Force Chief... MORE

Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, greets Air Marshal Kevin R. Short, New Zealand Defense Force Chief of Defence Force, before a ceremony to present Short with the Legion of Merit in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 6, 2024. The Legion of Merit is the highest accolade that the U.S. can bestow upon a foreign leader; it is reserved for individuals who have shown exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)

USINDOPACOM Commander Presents Legion of Merit to New Zealand Chief of Defense Force
April 6, 2024 — WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, presented Air Marshal Kevin R. Short, New Zealand Defense Force Chief of Defence Force, with the Legion of... MORE

Air Marshal Kevin R. Short, New Zealand Defense Force Chief of Defence Force, receives the Legion of Merit pinned by Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 6, 2024. The Legion of Merit is the highest accolade that the U.S. can bestow upon a foreign leader; it is reserved for individuals who have shown exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)